“And say to the believing women that they should lower their gaze and guard their modesty; that they should not display their beauty and ornaments except what must ordinarily appear therof; that they should draw their veils over their bosoms and not display their beauty except to their husbands, their fathers, their husbands’ fathers, their sons, their husbands’ sons, their brothers, or their brothers’ sons or their sisters’ sons, or their women or the servants whom their right hands possess, or male servants free of physical needs, or small children who have no sense of the shame of sex, and that they should not strike their feet in order to draw attention to their hidden ornaments. And O you Believers, turn you all together towards Allah, that you may attain Bliss.” (Quran 24:31).

Most people hold their home place dear to their heart. I know I do. I have heard the saying: “Home is where the heart is.” I suppose that is true to an extent. Though, my heart has been many places. Yet, only one place feels like home.

When, we are driving up the curvy country road, as soon as the mountains are in sight my heart begins to pound. It is as if I’m seeing it for the first time. When I get out of the car and take in the fresh air and look around at the vast natural forests and open spaces, I feel like I’m home. Listening to the people’s slow southern drawl and hillbilly slang put me at ease. I soak up every minute that I can of the place.

As we leave, I can’t help but feel a little nostalgic. Although, in my mind, I know that I can not live happily there. I know it is not the best place to bring up my children. You see, we are Muslims and unfortunately that is not a popular way of life in the small mountain communities of Tennessee and North Carolina. The word Muslim to many of the inhabitants of my small hometown is equated to terrorism. This misconception has improved significantly over the years but is still painfully obvious at times. I know that my children deserve to go to Islamic schools and I feel that we deserve to live in an area with Muslim friends. With all that I do have in common with my hometown crowd the one big thing that divides us is religion. I love living amongst Muslims and feel a peace and contentment when I am around them. Being around my Muslim brothers and sisters have negated the feelings of homesickness that I used to feel.

After a few moves, I have realized that it isn’t the people of my hometown that I’m connected with. It is the mountains, the fresh air, and the pace of life. It’s the place.

I have found these feelings to be true for most people. Whether one is from a large metropolitan area or a small southern community, He/she usually feels their hometown brings a feeling of excitement and comfort(much like a comfort food). It doesn’t matter how much you love someone or the people you are around. A place, a simple place, can still tug at your heart.

You know you’re a hijabi/niqabbi if…People randomly come up to you and ask if your husband makes you wear “that”or you are asked if he abuses you.

You know you’re a hijab/niqabbi if…people ask you if you shower and sleep with that “thing” on.

You know you’re a hijab/niqabbi if…People talk to you and not your body.

You know you’re a hijabi/niqabbi if…You are asked where you are from by just about every person you meet.

You know you’re a hijabi if…You are often mistaken for a nun.

You know you’re a hijabi/niqqabi if…People automatically have a difficulty understanding you even though you speak perfectly clear and correct.

You know you’re a niqabi if…You often hear ninja jokes

You know you’re a niqqabi if…People are facinated by watching you eat. Some are even so facinated that they may video you and post it on the internet.

You know you’re a hijabbi/niqabbi if…you feel the peace and contentment only obtained by obeying your creator..you feel respected and liberated…and you know that even with all the comments and stares your Creator is pleased with you and that’s all that matters!

Let’s face it, the muslimah is like a spokeswoman for Islam without even saying a word. Why? Because it is a fact that the Muslim woman is the easiest to spot. Often, the muslim men adopt western style clothing and blend in so well that you wouldn’t even know they are Muslims. While the woman, with her beautiful hijab and abaya stands out like a beautiful flower in a baren wasteland. However, She doesn’t even need to speak a word to convey her message. Her actions do all the talking.

When she covers her body she is saying: “I won’t allow men to look at my figure and have perverse thoughts about me.”

When she lowers her gaze she is saying: “I won’t indulge in exchanging glances that may lead to immoral actions.”

When she smiles and greets the cashier she is saying: “See, I don’t think ill of all non muslims.”

When she returns the bit of money that the cashier mistakenly gave her she is saying: “I am fair.”
When she stands up for herself when she has been wronged she is saying: “I am not opressed and i certainly have my own mind.”
When she gets her degree at the university she is saying: “I am capable of suceeding.”
When she decides to stay home and care for her children she is saying: “I do care about the future of the muslim ummah. ”
When she goes to work and does her job well she is saying: “I can be a productive part of society.”
When she volunteers her time and efforts at Islamic schools and charities she is saying:”I am humble enough to help my brothers and sisters in Islam.”

And when she comes home after a long day, everyone else is saying…..I wonder why i ever had those misconceptions about Muslim women.

So, my sisters, stand up and have inner pride. Whatever you do make sure that you do your best because you are a reflection of Islam and the rest of us muslim women. It may be through your daily interactions that you could plant a seed of curiosity in someone’s heart that may grow and turn into guiding them to Islam.

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